Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Saks Fifth free gift with $100 purchase


Now thru March 9, beauty and fragrance purchases over $100 qualify for this cool bag with samples at Saks Fifth Avenue online. Enter code AGELESS at checkout.



Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Brow tips for different hair color...

If you are blonde, or have light eyebrows, there is something you can do to look more attractive instantly! Just darken your eyebrows slightly with an eyebrow pencil or powder. Makeup artists often will give their blonde celebrity clients a light-browed look for a daytime event and a dark-browed look for a dramatic evening look. Be sure to apply eyebrow pencil with soft, feathery strokes and use a shade in the blonde family to look natural.


Brunettes should have no trouble finding an eyebrow enhancer. Just remember to keep it soft, like a medium brown. Any darker is too severe, even for midnight-haired strands. Makeup artists tend to agree that girls with black hair usually look best with a dark brown brow enhancer rather than a black one, which could look too severe.


Red-haired, celebrity makeup artists often use an auburn eyebrow pencil on their red-haired clients during the daytime and a light brown eyebrow enhancer at night.


Monday, February 25, 2008

Fake lashes in seconds

Since I just showed 2 of my friends, I'll post my version on how to apply fake lashes.

First dab some eyelash glue on the front of your hand.

Use tweezers to slowly take the lashes out of the container. Still using the tweezers, glide the base of the lashes across the glue on your hands.

Wait at least 10 seconds for the glue to get taut. Use both hands and gently hold each side of the band of lashes. Close one eye and align the lashes to your lid. Gently let it sit there and apply pressure to get the glue to stick to your lid.

Hold for 10 seconds. Using the tweezers or a makeup brush, gently push the base of the fake lashes to your eyelid to ensure they will stick and stay.

Apply a layer of lashes, gently comb out so they blend. You're done!

Blushing trick




I learned a new trick this weekend! To get your cheekbones to stand out, apply blush at the apples of the cheek and sweep out and up.

Then add a little bit of shimmer, like Laura Mercier 'Pink Mosaic' Shimmer Bloc. Put some on the top of the cheeks -between the upper cheekbone and eyes - and it'll make your cheekbones pop in pictures.







Thursday, February 21, 2008

Tattoo removal

There are a few ways to do this, however keep in mind it will be just as painful as getting one done!

Laser surgery is considered by many doctors and patients to be the best way to remove a tattoo. A numbing cream is usually applied to the area before the treatment. Once the skin is ready, the laser is placed over the tattoo, as pulses of light shoot out of the laser and onto the skin. Each blast of light from the laser breaks up the tattoo pigment. The laser is moved across the tattoo in quick, swift movements until the entire area has been treated. Sometimes more than one laser session is needed to completely remove the tattoo. After the treatment, the skin’s scavenger cells do the rest of the work in removing the pigment. While this option is one of the most popular, it can leave scarring or discoloration.


Excision is a more surgical method of removing a tattoo. This option works best for small tattoos. After a local anesthetic is applied to numb the skin, the entire tattoo is surgically removed. The edges of the skin are then pulled together and sutured shut in order to heal. Excising a tattoo gets rid of it completely but in some cases, a skin graft may be needed. Scarring and bleeding are common.


Dermabrasion is another method of tattoo removal that involves sanding down the tattooed area, causing the skin to peel off. The tattoo is removed in small portions by using a solution that freezes the area. After the designated area has been sanded down with an abrasive rotary tool, the layers of skin containing the pigment will peel off. Bleeding of the area is common and may need to be bandaged to prevent infection. This process can be uncomfortable and can also result in skin discoloration or scarring.

Start saving money!

Wear sunscreen daildy: especially one that contains zinc oxide. The sun ages us more than just about anything else, and it’s easy and relatively cheap to wear sunscreen every day. You'll save money in the longrun from thousands of dollars spend on wrinkle creams.

Use proven ingredients. Retinol and retinoids are still the best proven anti-aging skin care ingredients.

Avoid tanning salons. Not only will you save money you wasted on tanning, but you will be preventing future damage to your skin, which you will later regret.

Quit smoking. You save lots of money, and preventing your skin from aging extremely prematurely.

Return products you don't like. Most department stores and drug stores allow you to return products you don’t like, even if you’ve opened them. Check the return policy and keep the receipts. My fave stores are Sephora and Nordstrom!

Try generic versions of prescription medications. Some acne and wrinkle creams come in generic versions, so ask your doctor to allow substitutions on your prescription.

Take advantages of sales. Stock up on your favorite products.

Get the gift with purchase. Some department store brands have “gift with purchase” bonuses a few times a year. You get great travel sizes of products, bags, and more!

Search for deals and coupons. Cosmetricks users often post specials and deals (thank goodness!).

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Eyelash growth products can be dangerous!

Approximately $2 Million of Potentially Harmful "Cosmetic" Eye Product Seized
Product contains drug ingredient, makes unapproved drug claims, could damage eye

At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Marshals seized today 12,682 applicator tubes of Age Intervention Eyelash, a product that may, in some users, lead to decreased vision. Authorities said the sales value of the seized tubes is approximately $2 million.

Age Intervention Eyelash is sold and distributed by Jan Marini Skin Research, Inc., of San Jose, Calif.

The FDA considers Age Intervention Eyelash to be an unapproved and misbranded drug because Jan Marini Skin Research has promoted the product to increase eyelash growth. Before a new drug product may be legally marketed, it must be shown to be safe and effective, and approved by FDA. The agency takes seriously its responsibility to protect Americans from unapproved drugs.

FDA also considers the seized Age Intervention Eyelash to be an adulterated cosmetic. The product contains bimatoprost, an active ingredient in an FDA-approved drug to treat elevated intraocular pressure (elevated pressure inside the eye).

For patients using the prescription drug, using the Age Intervention Eyelash in addition to the drug may increase the risk of optic nerve damage because the extra dose of bimatoprost may decrease the prescription drug's effectiveness. Damage to the optic nerve may lead to decreased vision and possibly blindness.

In addition, use of Age Intervention Eyelash may cause other adverse effects in certain people due to the bimatoprost, including macular edema (swelling of the retina) and uveitis (inflammation in the eye), which may lead to decreased vision.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California filed the complaint requesting the seizure, and coordinated with the FDA. The California Department of Public Health‘s Food and Drug Branch had previously embargoed the seized products at the San Jose facility. Jan Marini Skin Research has notified FDA that the company ceased manufacturing and shipping any Age Intervention Eyelash product containing bimatoprost last year.

The FDA recommends that consumers, dermatologists, and estheticians who may still have Age Intervention Eyelash discontinue using it and discard any remaining product. FDA also recommends that consumers consult their health care provider if they have experienced any adverse events that they suspect are related to the product's use.
Source: http://www.fda.gov/

Hair Extensions

Have you noticed the amount of celebrities who all of a sudden have long, flowing locks? The key to their fabulous hair is the clever use of hair extensions, carefully blended to match exactly with their own hair.

Hair extensions offer instant volume for limp tresses or emergency relief from a disastrous haircut and can last up to 3 months.


Some things that you should know about caring for hair extensions:

• Use a soft bristle brush and brush your hair from the bottom and gently work your way up.

• Gently tie your hair up while sleeping.

• Do not color your own hair extentions at home.

• To prevent tangling, run your fingers through the braid extensions.

• Don't spray your extensions with conditioners or any silicone based products as they can cause the braids to slip.


You can have any length you want up to about 26"-30". Anything longer than this puts extra weight on your scalp which may lead to damage to your own hair. The best looking hair extensions for average height women are usually around 22" or less.

Hair extensions can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars so you'll need to shop around.

The application of extensions should not hurt. The extensions artist should braid the tracks firmly but comfortably. The tension should be even all over your head with no points pulling or hurting.


Comments (5)

Food for thought

Foods that feed your beauty :)

Carrots : Maintain the outer layer of the skin to prevent premature aging. Find the benefits as you do from RetinA

Cheese : Choose Swiss, cheddar, or gouda to block bacteria in the mouth and prevent cavities.

Citrus Fruits : Hold the skin cells together by forming collagen. Collagen cannot be added to the skin topically, which is why fruits and fruit juices are such an important part of the daily diet.

Cranberries, blueberries: antioxidants

Garlic: Helps combat wrinkles and restores tissues.

Nonfat Yogurt: High in calcium, keeps your smile white and your teeth cavity-free.

Sweet Potatoes: Vitamin A is known to be an anti-wrinkling agent. Sweet potatoes are full of this important vitamin.

Tomatoes: Rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium.

Wheat Germ: If you want to get rid of pimples quickly and efficiently, make sure to include two or three tablespoons a day in your diet.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Aloe Vera - the secret noone wants you to know

One day at a party I overheard someone talking about aloe vera gel directly from the plant and how it made her skin soft. The girls then told me the plants were very affordable, and you can find them almost anywhere. So I looked into the benefits of the gel, after all it is recommended for treating sun burns to promote relief and healing.

Aloe Vera is a cactus-like plant that is actually part of the lily family. The Aloe barbadensis variety exhibits the best medicinal properties. It contains an array of material including: Amino Acids, Enzymes, Lectin, Lipids, Minerals, Lactates, Salicylates, Phenolics, Polysaccharides, Urea, Nitrogen and numerous vitamins.

Burn and Wound Healing: Aloe Vera is best known for its soothing and healing effects on burns and wounds. Keep it around when going out in the sun!

Aging of the Skin: Components of Aloe Vera have been found to reverse degenerative skin changes by stimulating collagen and elastin synthesis, in essence turning back the clock on the effects aging has on skin.

Immune System Restoration: Research has proven that Aloe Vera prevent suppression of the skin's immune system. This suppression may be one of the causes of skin cancer.

Moisturizer: Studies show that Aloe Vera improves the skin's ability to hydrate itself, aids in the removal of dead skin cells and has an effective penetrating ability that helps transport healthy substances through the skin. Each of these factors make Aloe Vera an ideal ingredient in cosmetic and dermatological products.

Anti-Inflammatory: Aloe Vera promotes a variety of anti-inflammatory responses in the body, reducing swelling from injuries and promoting recovery from infections. Such anti-inflammatory responses enhance the overall wound healing process.

I'm excited to try this out for my new wrinkles - I went and bought a bottle of the capsules from GNC. Going to try it out on my face for a month, wish me luck!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Create seductive eyes

The eyelashes are not just strands of hair that rim our eyelids. They are gifts that Mother Nature gave us to protect and shield our eyes from dust and other foreign bodies. And because we communicate a lot with our eyes, our eyelashes help us put color and meaning to our words with the way we flutter and bat our eyelashes.


It would be infinitely nicer and infinitely more effective, though, if the lashes that we bat and flutter look long, thick and immaculate. We do not have to be born with long and thick eyelashes to be able to have seductive-looking eyes, though. After all, what is makeup for? All it takes is the touch of the magical mascara wand.


Mascara does magic for our lashes as long as it is correctly applied, in such a way that there are no globs of the stuff clinging to our lashes and that each strand is separated from the other. Nothing ruins the effect of mascara than globs and lash strands clumped together.

To avoid dried globs and clumping strands, apply the mascara to the base of the lashes with the mascara wand and then give the wand a wiggle. Afterwards, carefully brush the mascara to the ends of the lashes with the use of a lash comb. Or if you do not want to use a lash comb, just wipe the excess mascara from your wand with a piece of tissue before touching it to your lashes.


Another thing that makes mascara look ugly is if it smudges. Sometimes, the smudge happens because the eye cream or the concealer used is oil-based and still wet. You can prevent the smudging by applying powder first onto your lower eyelids before putting on the mascara. Also, try not to blink while putting the mascara on, or else it will definitely stick to your eyelids rather than to your lashes.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Celebrities without makeup

Wow, this just shows what makeup can do! Check out this video of celebs without makeup! Again, I wish I had my own professional makeup artist :)





Ok to conserve

For those who go to the extent of buying $75+ worth of products just to get a few sample packets of items, try this:

Use a pin and poke a hole in the sample package. Squeeze out just enough product to use. This helps the product last longer and you're seriously squeezing out every drop ;)

Melting Shadow?

Melting eyeshadow is a problem for many, but there is a way to make it "stick" a little longer. If you use a damp eyeshadow brush and apply a layer of face powder to your lids and allow to set, the shadow will stay in place for the day. It takes an extra second or so but the effort is well worth it.


Another simple option is to use simply use a shadow base in a neutral beige color first- its worth the investment!

Applying false lashes

False lashes are perfect for special occasions or when you want to have
some fun! Follow these basis steps when applying the falsies:

- Using a tweezer, dip the base end of the lashes into the glue, then
place the lashes as close to the base of your own lashes as you can.
- Fill in wherever you want the greatest impact, usually the mid to
outer lashes
- Press gently but firmly
- Hold the lash in place for about 5 seconds, until the glue has a
chance to dry and hold
- Keep a piece of paper handy to hold the lashes
- After the glue is dry, apply a dark eyeliner to camouflage the line
of the fake lashes
and then apply mascara.
-To remove, gently pull them off with tweezers.

My favorite: Ardell's in 110 or 135

First timer at a spa

Bet you're asking - will anyone see me naked?
- Most spas do not require any form of exposure. Rooms are used for one
to undress in, and robes or towels are provided to cover up. In other
situations, the therapistmay leave the room as you undress and get
underneath the sheets. They will also leave the room for you to dress. Keep
in mind that depending on your treatment, i.e. body scrubs, someone
may be in the room servicing you in the buff. If you are shy to this it
is always a good idea to ask the oncierge ahead of time before your
particular treatment.


Also an fyi:
- Gratuity in the Spa industry follows the same standard as any other
service, about 12-17%. Most spas have little envelopes for you to put
the gratuity into and write the name of the recipient as well as your
name, then slip that into the box provided. If payment is not required
until the end of your treatments, you may pay then. The last option would
be to hand them gratuity directly but it's advisable to ask the
concierge beforehand if you are still unsure.

Hair product trial

I tend to do things in excess. For example - when I buy shoes, I don't just buy one pair. I end up with 3 boxes :). My recent binge has been on hair products. My goal was something for volumizing my ultra thin hair, protecting it since it's been colored, while adding shine. Here are my winners for now :)



Pureology: The pink bottle for volume. The styling gel works well for volume and is made for color treated hair. Haven't noticed the color fading from use of this, so we're good. The shampoo and conditioner however are a bit thick and I"m not too fond of the smell.



Frederic Fekkai Technician Color Care: The shampoo, conditioner, and volumizing gloss gel all work very well. My hair color seems to have extended at least an extra week and I like the smell. The only downside is this line is expensive at $20 for the glosser and $22 an 8oz shampoo.



Bumble and Bumble The gentle shampoo doesn't lather as much as I'd like, but I use it with the super rich conditioner and I love my hair afterwards! I also tried the 20 minute deep conditioner that seemed to work well but only needed once a month. The price is a little high but well worth it. $25 for the shampoo and $29 for the conditioner.



Kerastase: Reflection for color treated hair. As much as I wanted to like this product (the fancy website made it seem so exclusive), it didn't do much for me. I didn't notice an improvement in shine or health of the strands. It did make my hair softer and smelled nice. I probably won't be buying this again at $32 for the Bain Noir shampoo and $58 for the Chroma reflect conditioning mask.

Going Hair Dryer Shopping

I'm planning to go hair dryer shopping! I found a few that look interesting...wish me luck!



Conair Pro Silver Bird 2000 Watt Hair Dryer: less than $35

Conair hair dryers are synonymous with quality and durability, and the Pro Silver Bird really lives up to that promise. Powerful, yet lightweight, this dryer has multi Ceramic components inside to emit millions of negative ions that smooth and dry hair without damage. It also has an incredible two year limited warranty from the manufacturer.

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BaByliss Pro Ceramix Xtreme 2000 Watt Hair Dryer: less than $40

Why? Xtremely good for the price! Ceramic ionic technology coupled with gentle, far-infrared heat provides Xceptional salon-quality results for a fraction of the price. Xtended narrow barrel delivers Xtreme Air Pressure. This is one powerful dryer.

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Elchim Galaxy 1800 Watt Hair Dryer: less than $75

Known as “The Ferrari of hair dryers” for being quiet and powerful, eliminating static and frizz, reducing damage and having a comfortable, lightweight design. This is one of the unsung heros in hair dryers. If you’ve tried one, you know what I mean.

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Instant Lash Line

found a cool product from Mally ( celebrity makeup artist) when I was out in NYC. Lash liner - draw a line on the upper inner lid and fill in the spaces between your lashes on top of the lid for an eye opening effect!

Tips for those on the go!

Eyes
A single coat of mascara will only take seconds per eye, giving just enough definition to lashes. Dust on some eyeshadow and you should be good to go. Take another second and apply some eyeliner for eyes that pop!


Lips
For a soft, kissable look, slap some tinted lip-gloss on your lips. Lipstick or lip stain will draw more attention to your lips than lip-gloss.


Hair
Buy some cool hair accessories and use them to twist your hair up or pin it back, all in about 30 seconds. Headbands are cool too just to keep the hair out of the face.


Blemishes, scars, and imperfections:
Use a concealer stick or powder makeup to mask blemishes and dark circles under your eyes. Concealing unsightly marks on one’s face should take less than a minute. Visine eye drops may be applied to reduce redness of blemishes before applying concealer.


Refresh: splash on some body spray or perfume, or even body lotion. Just don't overdo it!

Smokey Eyes

The key to the smokey eye affect is blending. The blending of these
colors and the use of highlight shimmer helps keep the look soft and
smokey!

- First apply shadow base to the lids
- Sweep on a highlight concentrating on the upper area near the eyebrow
and the tear duct (this area catches the most light)
- Apply shadow to the lid
- Using an angled brush, apply a gel or dry liner to the lid close to
the lash line. A dark navy blue or plum shadow would work here. Blend
this line.
- Blend in a slightly darker shadow in the crease of the lid

Extend Your Makeup

To make liquid foundation last longer, mix it with a drop of sweat proof sunblock.For blush to last longer, try using a cream version also .For the lips- apply a balm to smooths out, then dust translucent powder followed by the color.

Treat Winter Skin

Lips: run a toothbrush over flakey skin to smooth it out

Hands: Clean with antibacterial wipes instead of soap as that can be very drying

Scalp: Massage scalp once a week with olive oil and a crushed aspirin mixed in it. this adds salicylic acid to help exfoliate dead cells

Arms: Try an at home microdermabrasian kit to get rid of bumps

Back: Try a dry oil body spray to reach that hard area, or put lotion inside of a back scrubber (the ones with the long handles to reach the back)

Heels: Rub in a lactic acid lotion and then a rich foot cream, twice a day if possible.

Body: Shower at night instead of the morning. It may tempt you less to use scalding hot drying water.